Modern society and industry are fuelled by carbon-based molecules. These molecules serve as the backbone for the creation of essential materials that drive diverse sectors such as construction, automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, food packaging, and the very fuels that power our transportation and heating systems.

We need alternative approaches to synthesize these crucial chemicals in a manner that is both environmentally and economically sustainable. We must pivot from our reliance on fossil fuels, which are not only scarce and finite but also highly localized, limiting our ability to create a truly global and interconnected circular economy.

However, there’s a catch. The majority of these indispensable molecules are currently sourced from fossil fuels through large-scale, energy-intensive thermochemical processes. This not only poses a significant strain on our planet’s scarce and finite fossil fuel resources but also contributes heavily to greenhouse gas emissions. This double-edged sword challenges our collective efforts to combat global warming and forms a critical bottleneck on the road to sustainable circular economies.